Sharon Claydon (Newcastle, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

It is very fitting that we begin each parliamentary year with the annual Prime Minister's report on Closing the Gap. It is a unique chance for this parliament to reflect on the challenges ahead and to recommit ourselves to Closing the Gap targets in the areas of health, life expectancy, education, employment and justice. It was an honour to attend the breakfast this morning where a number of colleagues from both Houses were present.

Today's report shows that there has been some progress in Closing the Gap in a number of clear key areas including employment but there is some very sobering reading in other parts of that report. In particular, the fact that we are lagging behind in the reading and numeracy figures, which have stagnated despite government efforts to try and boost school attendance, is something that this House should absolutely reflect on. But perhaps even more so is the fact that it is abundantly clear that we cannot afford the Abbott government cuts into those key vital Indigenous services and programs. Our Indigenous communities are hurting and they need our support at this time.